Equal Access International
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To create positive social change for millions of under-served people across the developing world by providing critically needed information and education through innovative media, appropriate technology and direct community engagement.
- Income
- $11.5 million
- Spending
- $11.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 61%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $273,982, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 60% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $4.3 million spent. Cote d'Ivoire Programs: Resilience for Peace (R4P) -CI07The R4P program demonstrated success in strengthening community resilience against violent extremism (VE) in northern Cte d'Ivoire in 2024. Through innovative approaches and evidence-based programming, R4P effectively addressed key drivers of fragility while building sustainable mechanisms for peace and stability in one of West Africa's most strategic border regions. According to an external evaluation conducted in August 2024, "R4P's approach contributed to mitigating key drivers of VE through action-oriented research that facilitated understanding of VE dynamics in the northern border regions and informed Government of Cte d'Ivoire responses to VE. The program's achievements were particularly notable in three core areas: improving governance and state-citizen relations, strengthening natural resource management and conflict resolution, and developing a robust community media ecosystem that effectively countered extremist narratives.Innovative Collaboration for Enhancing Civil Military Engagement in Northern Cte d'Ivoire (ICE) - CI09In 2024, EAI implemented the Dutch-funded ICE project to expand work with the CCMs (Civil-Military Committees / Cellules Civilo-Militaires) in northern Cte d'Ivoire. Through ICE, the Resilience for Peace team facilitated high-level participation of Security and Defense Forces in program events, fostering positive perceptions of local resilience initiatives. The project is implemented in partnership with Indigo Cote d'Ivoire and Elva Community Engagement. Promoting an Inclusive West Africa (PIWA) CI10PIWA launched in late September 2024 seeking to address the challenges faced by the Fulbe community, a marginalized group in Coastal West Africa. Through comprehensive approaches, the project laid the groundwork to build the Fulbe community's capacity and promote their inclusion and equitable participation in decision-making processes in Cote d'Ivoire. By empowering Fulbe leaders and fostering collaboration with government leaders and diverse ethnic groups, PIWA will promote social cohesion and reduce marginalization.Fortuna Mining Corps Sustainability National Partnership Program CI11 In 2024, EAI implemented a project with FMC's Sustainability National Partnership Program in Cote d'Ivoire that included the following activities: research activity regarding citizen usage of community health centers, expanding support for gardening activities for women and young people, supporting the marketing and production of honey and poultry to diversify income streams, and support for literacy centers.
- $3.2 million spent. Kenya and Somalia Programs:Nabadaynta Soomaaliya SO03Nabadaynta Soomaaliya expanded from the core districts of Kismayo and Baidoa to Doolow and Xudur in Somalia in 2024, expanding both the scope and staffing of the programme. In 2024, Nabadaynta produced the first season of the Xaqdowhr radio drama focusing on discrimination and inequity in security and justice; conducted listening, discussion and action groups (LDAGs) in both Kismayo and Baidoa; deployed 32 Justice promoters (community paralegals), and formed Action Groups out of the Area-Based Problems process in all four districts. EAI worked through Somali Gargaar Relief Development Organization/GREDO (who implement activities in Xudur and Baidoa), Wajir South Development Association/WASDA (Kismayo), and Active in Development Aid/ADA (Doolow), as well as international sub-partners BBC Media Action (radio mentorship and capacity building), and Perspective Media (soap opera production).
- $913,391 spent. Nigeria Programs:Securing Nigerian Communities (SNC) NG21In 2024, the SNC project strengthened and expanded the Early Warning Early Response (EWER) mechanisms established in previous years of the project working in collaboration with the Civilian Security Platforms and Community Accountability Forums, and training new and existing members on peacebuilding, civilian security, advocacy, and mediation efforts. The project also connected these groups with local resource organizations that will continue to collaborate with them beyond the project funding. SNC continued to support the implementation of Local Action Plans drafted in previous years in each community, garnering community and local government support and buy-in. As part of the project, EAI launched a new partnership with Carefronting Centre. Strengthening Media Support for Community Accountability Measures, Phase 3 (SMS4CAM 4) NG23EAI is a subawardee to Network AREWA24, Ltd. on this iteration of the SMS4CAM project. In this role, in 2024, EAI supported the AREWA24 team with report writing, drafting stories of change, and providing capacity building around financial reporting and budget and grant management.
- $925,573 spent. Other Programs (Pakistan, Tajikistan , Burkina, Nepal, and Philippines):Sahel Collaboration and Communication (Burkina Faso and Niger) -SH06SCC (Sahel Collaboration and Communication) continued to promote USAID's resilience story and brand in 2024 through media events, workshops, social media, radio, print, video, and other strategic communications. In particular, SCC shared radio products and podcast episodes through the Sahel Resilience podcast on Spotify. Communications efforts highlighted collaboration among USAID (United States Agency of International Development) partners and USAID successes by sector with the aim of increased knowledge and recognition of USAID's technical leadership and enhanced communication of programming and results. Change Start at Home NP34 In 2024, "Change Starts at Home" was implemented in 10 wards of Nawalparasi, Nepal and achieved reductions in intimate partner violence (IPV) and improvements in communication, relationship quality, and financial decision-making through a combination of direct engagement and radio broadcasts and social media. The programme employed a three-phase diffusion strategy for behavior change across communities, fostering improved gender norms outcomes in financial decision-making, relationship quality, and reduced in-law violence. Positive changes in IPV and gender norms spread to surrounding communities were also reported, while the program sought to instutionalize its approach within designated Violence Free Community (VFC) Committees to maintain prevention efforts. Fostering Religious Tolerance for Peace (FRTP) AF88 In 2024, the Fostering Religious Tolerance Program (FRTP) made significant strides in Pakistan and Tajikistan, promoting religious tolerance, human rights, and support for Afghan refugees. FRTP empowered individuals through a comprehensive approach that combined training, awareness campaigns, and resource dissemination in order ot equip refugees with the necessary skills and information to navigate their new environment effectively. In 2024, EAI collaborated with local implementation partners, Afghan refugee communities, and advisory groups to develop practical training materials, conduct community-based dialogue sessions, and produce impactful radio and online campaigns. Communities and Schools Leading in the Fight Against Terrorism (CS- LIFT), Phase III PH03In 2024, CS-LIFT began its third phase with new funding from the Department of State. Launched in September 2024, the project aimed to expand its reach to XXX new schools in Mindanao and Region 12. The project's grade 10 curriculum uses a peace education model and competencies across subjects and is complemented by radio programming, Listening and Discussion Action Groups (LDAG), and the successful #OURmindaNOW messaging hub to promote social change and peace education initiatives. By training young leaders through the Peace Promotion Fellowship and Tech Camps, the project aims to positively influence youth both in and out of school in communities at risk of violent extremism.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.